THE VIRGINIAN-PILOT
Copyright (c) 1996, Landmark Communications, Inc.
DATE: Sunday, May 19, 1996 TAG: 9605150035
SECTION: REAL LIFE PAGE: K4 EDITION: FINAL
COLUMN: IMPERFECT NAVIGATOR
SOURCE: ALEXANDRIA BERGER
LENGTH: Medium: 75 lines
SYLVIA HARMON of Virginia Beach recently requested copies of columns I've written on travel. Here are some new tips, to clip and save.
Useful phone numbers:
International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers: (716) 754-4883.
State Department's Citizen Emergency Center: (202) 667-5225.
United Nations General Information: (212) 963-1234.
Traveler's Insurance and Assistance Programs:
Travel Guard, (800) 782-5151.
Access American, (800) 284-8300.
Wallach & Co., (800) 237-6615.
Travel Insured International, (800) 243-3174.
Travel Insurance Service, (800) 937-1387.
American Express Travel Protection, (800) 234-0375.
BerkelyCare, (800) 645-2424.
Medex Assistance Corp., (410) 321-4426.
All of these insurance companies include plans for medical and emergency medical evacuation coverage, should you have an accident or become seriously ill. Request forms and complete information. Read the fine print, even if you need a magnifying glass, and shop rates.
Going on a cruise or trip to a foreign country - especially if the tickets are nonrefundable - without baggage, trip cancellation, theft and medical insurance could cost you big bucks.
When you're elderly, physically disabled or have a chronic illness, coverage is well worth the price. If you can't afford a complete insurance package, it is imperative to have trip cancellation and additional medical insurance. Do not rely on your medical coverage in the United States when traveling outside the country. And always carry medications with you.
Hampton Roads travel agent Holly Kelly let me know that the Paralysis Society of America is gathering reports from passengers on how well airlines are complying with the Federal Air Carrier Access Act of 1986. The act prohibits discrimination against people with disabilities, visible or not. Thus far, the most frequent complaints include attitude, inadequate training of personnel, and refusal to assign bulkhead seats to the disabled.
Richard Grant, president of the society, said, ``These seats are usually set aside for high-level frequent fliers, and reports say that airlines often will not assign them to wheelchair users or people with immobilized legs or arms, who require the seats for comfort.''
Recently, I flew to California for a family emergency. Continental Airlines had the only available flight that didn't require difficult plane changes. When I informed Continental that I required oxygen to fly, I was told that they had a quota for oxygen. Each plane is given a quota, because . . . ``we don't have enough canisters for the number of Continental-owned planes.'' After Ms. Quota Help Desk informed me of this and I screamed for a supervisor, I got the doctor-ordered oxygen I needed.
Make your voice heard. I am. Call (800) 643-8245 between 9 a.m. and 5 p.m. to request a form or make an oral report to the Paralysis Society. The findings will be submitted to the Department of Transportation in the fall.
In answer to Mrs. W., recently the 2nd U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in Manhattan struck down New York State's ban on doctor-assisted suicide, saying that physicians may prescribe drugs so that mentally competent dying patients can end their lives. This ruling is similar to one made several months ago in San Francisco, where a federal appeals court ruled against Washington state's assisted suicide ban. The court ruled that mentally competent, terminally ill adults have a constitutional right to die.
In the May/June issue of Health Magazine, a recent survey showed that 73 percent of physicians say they should be allowed to help terminally ill people die with dignity. Thirteen percent say they should be able to administer a lethal medicine. Discuss your wishes and feelings about being terminally ill with your physician. If he or she does not hear you, find another physician. by CNB